Applications Index : Ocean

Marine Communications Satellite Tracking Antenna Stabilization

A ship rolling and pitching in the sea proves to be a difficult dynamic environment. Satellite antennas in such applications require gyro stabilization in order to accurately receive or transmit data. These antennas can only accommodate a small amount of pointing error before being rendered unable to communicate with the satellite.

In the past, many types of gyros have been used for this application, with varying degrees of success: e.g. dynamically tuned gyros are very stable, but have reliability problems; fiber optic gyros have been used, but stability in the environment is an issue.

Watson Industries manufactures a stabilization system that is reliable and provides accurate performance while operating for extended times in an extreme environment. The ARS-E322-1A/80 provides accurate triaxial rate data as an analog voltage and a digital RS-232 signal.

Technical Challenges:

Reliability and accurate rate output over long operating periods are the primary obstacles to providing gyros for this application.

Watson Industries has built algorithms into our gyro packages that actively correct for errors. This operation will keep the gyro accuracy well within requirements for the life of the product.